It wasn't his fault. There is only so much a wideout can do with two catches on four targets. We can't expect Jaxon Smith-Njigba to spring a 50+ yard downfield haul every game, and in Week 13's contest with the Minnesota Vikings was no exception.
Smith-Njigba has spent this season cruising past defenders, cruising downfield, and cruising toward an untouched NFL record: Calvin Johnson's wide receiving record of 1,964 yards in a single season. Smith-Njigba was on pace until he wasn't. That "wasn't" is today.
JSN tallied just 23 yards against the Vikings on Sunday afternoon, winding his chances of reaching Johnson's mark. That being said, while the chances appear slim now, the chase isn't mathematically dead. All that needs to happen is for early-season form Sam Darnold to reappear and 629 more yards from Smith-Njigba over the remaining five games. Can it be done?
Seahawks' Jaxon Smith-Njigba has narrow road ahead in pursuit of NFL's single-season receiving record
Smith-Njigba would have to average 158 yards over Seattle's remaining five games to hit Johnson's mark in 16 games. In 2012, when Johnson set the record, the NFL played only 16 games per season, whereas now it plays 18. Because of the two extra games, Smith-Njigba's chances are better. This leaves him a little more wiggle room, but how much space exists within that wiggle room?
JSN has eight games of over 100 yards this season (124, 103, 132, 162, 123, 129, 105, 167). Averaging 100+ for the rest of the season is definitely doable, but 158, minus two extra games? Even for JSN, who is without question this year's best NFL wideout — with no shade directed toward George Pickens — may have trouble achieving this feat.
Even if JSN had hauled in 80 yards on Sunday instead of 23, he would be in a much better position going into next weekend's road game against the Atlanta Falcons. What bodes well in JSN's favor, and Darnold's, is that Atlanta isn't a top-ten defence. In fact, they sit just outside the top 15, ranked at No. 16. Not terrible, but not great either, which could be perfect for Darnold and JSN to cook again.
With or without the record, Smith-Njigba has unquestionably solidified his place as Seattle's No. 1 receiver for years to come. He has emerged as an elite, and within the next two to three years, there should be no surprise if he is a top-five wideout in the league.
Again, his chase for Johnson's record isn't entirely dead, but he's no longer on pace. The road ahead is narrower than ever, thanks to Seattle's subpar offensive passing game against the Vikings. If Smith-Njigba can still get there, wouldn't that be something?
Imagine how it would be for Darnold, the quarterback played the biggest role in getting his receiver a record not broken in over a decade.